Okay, so I know this chapter seems like filler but it's important for the story, you'll see. The chapters from here on out will probably get longer. Also, thank you for all the nice reviews! You have no idea how much they make me smile.
In response to a reviewer asking about why Zay was the one Mr. Matthews called, I thought Cory wouldn't be in a position to tell all of Riley's friends, and telling Farkle or Lucas or Maya wouldn't do the trick because they'd be grieving too hard, so Zay is the best one to spread the information around. And also, not only is Farkle not exactly in a rational state of mind, but not all comas are the same and not every patient hears what's going on around them. Plus, Zay said she's never waking up. Thanks for the reviews, guys! I hope you enjoy this!
It wasn't until a week later that Farkle went to see her. He'd been ignoring the calls from Smackle and Zay. Lucas tried to go see him, but Farkle wouldn't let him up. It was only when Maya buzzed that he even considered seeing anybody.
"She's not going to be at school tomorrow," Maya had said, as if the idea was unfathomable to her. Well, it didn't make sense to Farkle either. The whole group had taken the week off of school except for Smackle. She was shooting for perfect attendance. Apparently, Wednesday, she came home with a D- on her algebra test. That's just what Maya had told him. He didn't answer her phone calls or listen to her voicemails.
Maya told him they were allowed to see Riley now and then she left again. It took two days before he finally worked up the nerve to go see her. When he did, he was gutted.
There was Riley, face wiped clear of feeling or emotion or any indication that there was something living inside. Her skin was littered with cuts and bruises and she was connected to about a million tubes and wires.
If he didn't think about it too hard, he could pretend she'd be fine. Cuts and bruises heal. Antibiotics were just for prevention of infection. Except, you couldn't see the real trauma on her body. It was inside her head. Nothing could save her from that anymore. Certainly not Farkle. He felt defenseless. His world was crumbling down in front of him, life as he knew it was changing and there wasn't one thing he could do.
"Hi," a warm voice said behind him, just as the first few tears started to fall. "I'm Jameson. Do you mind if I check on -" there was a pause as he read her chart "- Ms. Matthews?" Farkle nodded, looking away. Farkle watched Jameson take her vitals and do something with her IV tubes.
"My friend Zay said she's never waking up." Jameson turned around mouth falling open for a second and then closing again. He averted his eyes and nodded solemnly. "She's really not gonna?" Farkle hated how he sounded like a scared little boy, but he was a scared little boy, wasn't he? And the doctor didn't seem to mind. A wistful little smile crept onto his face.
Jameson looked like he was about to say something, but he shook his head a little bit, changing his mind. "What's your name?"
"Farkle," he said, expecting Jameson to laugh, but he just beamed down at Farkle warmly, extending a hand to shake.
"It's nice to meet you, Farkle."